Your Baby at Week 10

Your baby’s growing by leaps and bounds and is already an inch and a half long and a quarter ounce in weight. That’s about the size of a prune — but happily your sweet sugarplum is much cuter than your average prune… and not nearly as wrinkled. Baby’s head takes up about half his length, and your cutie’s facial features are quite recognizable now.

His eyes are hidden behind sealed lids and won’t function until later in the second trimester. But a kissable button nose is visible and the external parts of those adorable ears have started to grow low down on the fetal head. Twenty tiny baby-teeth buds are in place beneath his gums, though you won’t see any precious pearlies until your sweetie is about six months old.

Baby’s stomach and kidneys are operational now, churning out digestive juices and urine. That beating heart is now a fully functional four-chambered one: two ventricles pump blood to the lungs and body while the two atria receive blood from baby’s circulation. Your baby is also getting stronger, busy building bones and cartilage and already sporting a pair of elbows that actually bend. Also under construction: knees, wrists, and ankles so he can poke and prod his mama in the months to come.

If your baby’s a girl, her tiny ovaries are beginning to form even tinier eggs. Got a boy in your belly? Believe it or not, his newly developing testes are already starting to make testosterone. What a guy!

At a Glance

Baby's First Teeth

While baby-to-be’s pearly whites won’t appear until he's about 6 months old, teeny tooth buds are now developing under the gums.

Tummy Time

This week, the stomach is producing digestive juices and the kidneys are making larger quantities of urine.

Building Bones

Bones and cartilage are forming this week, knees and ankles are starting to take shape and tiny elbows are already working!

The Start of the Fetal Period

Congratulations! Your baby has officially graduated this week from embryo to fetus, and with that change are a whole bunch of others happening in her development.

Baby's Bones Form

Your baby's growth is fast and furious when you are 10 weeks pregnant. She's nearly an inch-and-a-half long and the size of a prune, but not nearly as shriveled (even with all the time spent in water). In fact, your baby is really taking a human shape now. Bones and cartilage are forming and small indentations on the legs are developing into knees and ankles. The arms, complete with elbows, can flex already (how's that for magical?), but don't run to the store for a baseball bat just yet. Though your baby's arms are taking shape and getting stronger, each one is still teeny-tiny.

Baby's First Teeth

The tooth bud fairy is making an appearance this week, heralding the arrival of your baby's little choppers, which are forming under the gums. But those pearly whites won't break through the gums until your baby is close to six months old. Other systems are a go, too. Your baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, the kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine and, if it's a boy, your little one is already producing testosterone (how manly!).

Your Body at Week 10

All clogged up? For many moms-to-be, those pesky pregnancy hormones cause the smooth muscles of the large bowel to fall down on the job — they get sluggish and you get constipated. Fiber in the form of whole grains, fruits and veggies can help, as can drinking lots of water and exercising regularly. Still coping with nausea and vomiting? Your doctor may suggest one or more of these morning sickness remedies.

Rounder Tummy

If you haven't already looked in the mirror lately and examined your newly pregnant body, take a deep breath, take off your clothes and go for it. First thing you're likely to notice at 10 weeks pregnant (and the first thing you'll be looking for, duh ) is a slight roundness in your lower abdomen — which will probably be more noticeable if you're slight to begin with and less so if you're not. That's your ever-growing uterus you're checking out, which is now about the size of a small grapefruit. But don't worry if you can't quite see it yet — you will in just a few more weeks.

Visible Veins

Second thing you might notice are all those blue lines that have suddenly appeared on your skin, crisscrossing your breasts and abdomen. These visible veins can be especially obvious if you're thin and fair-skinned, but even those with darker complexions can make out what appears to be a vivid and complex road map (turn right at the areola, then head due south toward the belly button…). What you're seeing is the expanded network of veins that's carrying the increased blood supply needed to nourish your growing fetus. As your pregnancy progresses, you'll also notice that the veins in your hands and feet seem larger and more prominent, too. During pregnancy, the average woman's blood volume increases by a little under 50 percent and the veins have to keep up so they can go with the flow. So consider those blue lines on your body to be a pregnancy badge of honor: Wear them with pride and with the comforting knowledge that they'll disappear for good once your baby's born and you're no longer breastfeeding (if you do).

Curing Constipation

Constipation is an all-too-common first trimester pregnancy symptom. What can you do about it? First, steer clear of foods that'll clog up the works like refined (or white) breads, rice and pasta. Second, fixate on fiber: Whole grains (especially fiber-rich cereals) fresh fruit (think kiwis, a fine, furry friend to those who are constipated), dried fruit (beyond that geriatric favorite, prunes, try all your favorite fruits dried — apricots, peaches, pears, apples, blueberries, cherries…you name it!), raw or lightly cooked vegetables and nuts and seeds. Third, wash that fiber down — and through your system — with plenty of fluids, particularly water and juice (close your eyes and V8 tastes just like champagne! Well, sort of.). And finally, remember that getting moving can keep things moving — another good reason to put exercise on the agenda. If the situation doesn't improve in a couple of days, swallow your pride (if you haven't already) and call your practitioner, who may have a few special tricks up that white-coated sleeve. Don't use any over-the-counter remedies without consulting your doctor first.

Pregnancy Symptoms Week 10

You probably still feel as if your get-up-and-go has gotten up and gone, but don’t worry — in about a month you’ll be feeling less tired. In the meantime, don’t be super mom-to-be. Ask for help, get some rest and work in some exercise when you can. Yes, it seems counterintuitive to go out for a walk when you want to crawl into bed, but you’ll feel peppier (promise!) — and you’ll sleep better. Read More

What’s the worst thing you can do if you’re feeling queasy? Skip a meal. (Missing a meal just makes those queasy feelings more intense.) But if eating anything is really turning your stomach, try acupressure or seasickness bands. And sucking on ginger candy (or drinking real ginger ale) will help, too. Read More

Between those queasy feelings and food aversions, you’ve probably kept your weight gain down. And that’s okay — your baby’s nutritional needs are minuscule at this point. But even so, you don’t want to go crazy on the cravings. It’s okay to indulge once in a while or eat a bite-sized piece of chocolate instead of a brownie, but if your cravings are getting out of hand, try some distractions: Call a friend, read a book, head to the gym or go for a walk. Read More

A good way to prevent heartburn? Don’t eat while you’re lying down — or don’t lie down right after eating a big meal (even though the bed beckons you!). And use pillows to prop up your head (about six inches) when you sleep. That should keep those gastric juices down. Read More

As your hormones continue to relax all your muscles, the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract are relaxing too, which means more indigestion (see above) and more intestinal gas. Your best bet is to stay away from foods that produce the most gas. You may find it helpful to keep a record of what you eat to see whether there’s a connection between certain foods — whether it’s fried foods or broccoli or beans — and gas. Then you can avoid those triggers (or at least warn your partner!). Read More

You’ve got more blood flowing to the pelvic area (good for your sex life) thanks to the pregnancy hormone estrogen, as well as more mucous. The result is a thin, milky-white discharge that you may be seeing now. It’s harmless, so don’t bother with special wipes or washes — these could change the delicate balance of your genital tract and lead to irritation. Stay dry by wearing panty liners. Read More

What accounts for these new pregnancy headaches? Blame hormones (they’re a convenient scapegoat!), but other triggers include fatigue (check), hunger (check) and stress (check).Your doctor will probably okay acetaminophen but not ibuprofen. It’s also worthwhile to try other ways to soothe your savage head: Lie down in a dark room, put a cold compress on your face or neck or take fresh-air breaks. Read More

Your body is still getting used to all that blood pumping through it, so it’s no wonder you feel dizzy occasionally. Be sure to sit or lie down as soon as you feel light-headed (so you don’t fall). To decrease dizzy spells, carry healthy snacks around for a quick blood-sugar boost and stay hydrated. Read More

That increased blood supply is also responsible for the road map of veins crisscrossing their way across your belly and breasts. Those veins are doing the important work of taking nutrients and blood to your baby. So there’s nothing you can do but wait. They will disappear though! Read More

Like so many pregnancy symptoms, round ligament pain (which is just a fancy name for those growing pains in that burgeoning belly of yours) is probably something you never expected. What’s causing them? The ligaments that support your belly are stretching out (and getting thinner); and as your belly gets heavier, the weight pulls on the ligaments, causing pain (sharp or dull). The best thing to do is get off your feet and get comfy. Read More

Tips for You This Week

Take the Ride in Stride

Crying uncontrollably one minute, laughing hysterically the next? These emotional highs and lows are par for the pregnancy course. Mood swings are mostly felt during the first trimester, with a second trimester break. But be warned: They often return for the last few months of pregnancy.

Eat in the Dining Room

Pregnant women who eat while watching their favorite show are more likely to feed their infants in front of the TV, according to recent research. That can interfere with Mom’s ability to tell whether baby is full and cause poorer dietary habits. To the dining room!

Get Vitamin D

Right now, baby’s teeth are budding under the gums, but if you have low vitamin D levels, you may be setting him or her up for future cavities. Talk to your doc about D. Fatty fish, dairy products, orange juice and eggs are all good sources of the vitamin.

Add Mangoes to Your Plate

All fruits are good for you, but mangoes are particularly great for the pregnant set. They contain more vitamins A and C bite for delicious bite than a salad. This tropical favorite, also packed with potassium, is especially versatile, a perfect complement to sweet and savory dishes. Blend it into smoothies or soups, chop it up in salsas or relishes or simply scoop and enjoy.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

If you haven't already, it's a fine time to get into the habit of eating breakfast and including two breakfast foods that are especially good for your pregnant body (and baby-building): oatmeal and DHA-enriched eggs. Oats are full of fiber, the B vitamins, iron and a host of other good-for-you-minerals. Fill your breakfast bowl with them, but don't stop there. Add oats — and all their nutritional superpowers — to pancakes and muffins (and cakes, cookies and even meat loaf). If you're eating eggs, that's great. The old egg is still a good egg, delivering a low-calorie, high-protein punch in a tasty little bundle. But you can boost the nutritional value by scrambling, frying or boiling ones loaded with DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid (the "good fat") that is a primary component of the brain and retina and is essential for brain development and eye formation in the fetus.

Photograph Your Bump

Is your pregnant belly ready for its close-up? Someday you'll enjoy looking at pictures or video of your pregnant body — and so will your child. Enlist someone to document your changing profile once a month. Wear a formfitting outfit that lets your sexy shape shine, and stand in profile for your big moment. Start now, before you really start to expand, and take photos regularly until you deliver. Once you're done, create a pregnancy album — you'll be glad you did.

Listen to Your Body

Are your two favorite positions these days sitting and lying down? Pregnancy fatigue is normal. That's because you're running a baby-making factory that's in business 24/7, causing your pregnant body to work harder at rest than your nonpregnant body did on the run. And for the next few weeks, a baby's not the only thing in production — so is the placenta, the magnificently complex mission control that will serve as your baby's life support system until delivery. The result? You feel tired and overworked, even when you're not doing a darn thing. Your energy should pick up once the placenta's up and running and your system adjusts (as best as it can) to the hormonal changes of pregnancy — probably early in the second trimester. In the meantime, keep your blood-sugar level up with frequent snacks of complex carbs and protein (cheese and crackers; nuts and dried fruit), try a little exercise (which can actually give you an energy boost) and most of all — listen to your body. When it calls for a break, take one.

Updated: May 13, 2019

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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